That shouldn't come as a surprise, as the team has been trumpeting elevated roles for Connor Murphy and Brandon Gormley next season. The veteran defenseman produced 17 points and averaged 19:26 of ice time per game in 2013-14.

| 02/28/2014 1:45 AM

News

Derek Morris returned to action on Thursday February 27.

Rotoworld.com

Derek Morris out Saturday due to UBI | 02/08/2014 2:50 PM

News

Derek Morris will not play Saturday night in Dallas because of an upper-body injury.

Coyotes.nhl.com

Impact

He didn't travel with the team after he was injured in the first period against Chicago.

Derek Morris (personal) is set to play Thurs. | 12/19/2013 4:13 PM

News

Derek Morris (personal) will get back into Phoenix's lineup on Thursday night.

Sarah McLellan on Twitter

Impact

He hasn't played since Dec. 4 because of a family matter. Morris has 13 points, 41 hits and a plus-4 rating in 21 games this season.

Derek Morris unlikely to go on Tuesday | 12/16/2013 9:17 AM

News

Derek Morris (personal) is unlikely to return to the Phoenix lineup Tuesday.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris has missed the last four games with the family matter. He has four goals and 13 points in 21 games this season.

Derek Morris (personal) is out again Tuesday | 12/10/2013 10:08 AM

News

Derek Morris (personal) hasn't rejoined the Phoenix Coyotes yet.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris will miss his second straight game on Tuesday as a result. He has four goals and 13 points in 21 contests in 2013-14.

Coyotes take Derek Morris off IR | 11/21/2013 5:32 PM

News

Derek Morris (lower body) has been activated from injured reserve.

Sarah McLellan on Twitter

Impact

He hasn't played since Nov. 5, but he appears ready to return on Thursday when the Coyotes host Colorado. Morris had been filling several categories prior to getting hurt with 10 points, 28 hits, 15 blocks and 18 shots in 14 games.

Phoenix moves Derek Morris to IR list | 11/12/2013 2:47 PM

News

The Phoenix Coyotes have placed Derek Morris on the injured reserve list.

Sarah McLellan on Twitter

Impact

There was initially some hope that Morris would play on Tuesday, but that won't happen now. At the same time, this move is presumably retroactive Nov. 5, so Morris will be eligible to return on Thursday.

Morris (lower body) might return Tuesday | 11/12/2013 10:59 AM

News

Derek Morris (lower body) is questionable for Tuesday's game.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

That being said, Morris didn't take part in Monday's practice. He has missed two games due to the ailment.

Derek Morris sits out Saturday | 11/10/2013 10:30 AM

News

Derek Morris (lower body) sat out Saturday's game.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris was a game-time decision and along with Radim Vrbata (lower body), the duo sat in the press box. Coach Dave Tippett hopes that both players will be available this week. Stay tuned.

Derek Morris is questionable Saturday | 11/08/2013 3:48 PM

News

Derek Morris (lower body) is expected to be a game-time decision on Saturday.

Craig Morgan on Twitter

Impact

Morris wasn't able to play on Wednesday due to the ailment. He has four goals and six assists in 14 contests in 2013-14.

Derek Morris has a lower-body injury | 11/06/2013 11:08 AM

News

Derek Morris suffered a lower-body injury during Tuesday's game.

Vancouver Province

Impact

Morris logged just 3:05 minutes as a result. He has four goals and six assists in 14 games this season.

Derek Morris scores for second straight game | 11/01/2013 10:26 AM

News

Derek Morris found the back of the net on Thursday.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

It was Morris' second goal in as many games and his third point in four contests. He has four goals and nine points in 12 matches this season.

Derek Morris stays hot Tuesday | 10/30/2013 10:58 AM

News

Derek Morris found the back of the net in Phoenix's 3-1 win over Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris has three goals and eight points in 11 games this season. He'll cool down as the season drags on, but he's not a bad short-term pickup.

| 10/19/2013 1:43 AM

News

Derek Morris returned to action on Friday October 18.

Rotoworld.com

Derek Morris is probable Friday | 10/18/2013 11:16 AM

News

Derek Morris (lower body) was able to fully participate in Thursday's practice.

East Valley Tribune

Impact

There's a good chance Morris will be able to play on Friday after missing Tuesday's contest. He's off to a great start this season with two goals and five points in five games.

D. Morris (lower body) doesn't play Tuesday | 10/16/2013 9:36 AM

News

Derek Morris missed Tuesday's game due to a lower-body injury.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris previously missed an October contest due to an upper-body injury. He has two goals and five points in five games this season.

| 10/11/2013 2:02 AM

News

Derek Morris returned to action on Thursday October 10.

Rotoworld.com

Morris participates in Wednesday's practice | 10/10/2013 10:44 AM

News

Derek Morris (upper body) took part in Wednesday's practice.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris should be regarded as questionable for Thursday's contest. He has an assist in two games this season.

Derek Morris misses Tuesday's game | 10/09/2013 11:30 AM

News

Derek Morris (upper body) didn't end up playing in Tuesday's contest.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris was able to take part in the morning skate and initially looked probable. He has an assist in two games this season.

Derek Morris is probable to face Isles | 10/08/2013 6:16 PM

News

Derek Morris (upper body) is probable to play Tuesday.

Brian Compton on Twitter

Impact

He took part in the team's morning session and appears to be set to return.

Derek Morris day-to-day because of UBI | 10/07/2013 3:17 PM

News

Derek Morris is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Sarah McLellan on Twitter

Impact

He didn't practice Monday and is questionable to play Tuesday night against the New York Islanders. Morris has one assist and five hits in two games this campaign.

"(He) run a really good camp," Morris said about Tippett. "I thought the five, six days were really hard, lots of work. Now it's systems, more flow, getting more speed out of the guys. So it's been a good camp. It's been fun." The 35-year-old Morris is in the last year of a three-year deal and hopes to continue playing past this season in the NHL and hopefully with the Coyotes although no new deal has been discussed. Morris is long past having fantasy value but will be a valued member of the Coyote blueline.

Derek Morris (lower body) is out Friday | 04/26/2013 5:15 PM

News

Derek Morris (lower body) will not return on Friday.

Dave Vest on Twitter

Impact

It remains to be seen if Morris will play in the Coyotes' season finale on Saturday. He has 11 points and 36 penalty minutes in 39 contests in 2013.

Derek Morris misses Thursday's practice | 04/26/2013 11:12 AM

News

Derek Morris (lower body) missed Thursday's practice.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris should be regarded as doubtful for Friday's game against Colorado. He has 11 points in 39 games this season.

Derek Morris will not suit up Wednesday | 04/24/2013 5:08 PM

News

Derek Morris is back on the sidelines with a lower-body injury.

Dave Vest on Twitter

Impact

He won't play Wednesday after returning from a lower-body ailment in Monday's loss to Detroit.

| 04/23/2013 2:27 AM

News

Derek Morris returned to action on Monday April 22.

Rotoworld.com

Derek Morris out with lower-body injury | 04/20/2013 8:36 PM

News

Derek Morris missed Saturday night's game because of a lower-body injury.

Phoenix Coyotes on Twitter

Impact

The team is calling him day-to-day. The 34-year-old blueliner has 11 assists in 38 games.

Derek Morris will re-enter lineup Thursday | 02/28/2013 4:58 PM

News

Derek Morris is expected to play Thursday after missing the past five games with an upper-body injury.

Dave Vest on Twitter

Impact

The Phoenix defenseman has been a solid fantasy player this season in deeper leagues that reward hits and blocked shots. Morris has 27 shots, 34 hits and 21 blocks this year to go with five assists and a plus-1 rating in 14 games.

General manager Don Maloney said "there's a chance" the defenseman is back, according to Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic. Morris hasn't played since Feb. 14.

Derek Morris skates on Monday | 02/26/2013 12:02 PM

News

Derek Morris (upper body) skated on Monday but is considered questionable for Tuesday's game in Vancouver.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris has not played since Feb. 14 when he played only 3:30 before being forced to leave the game. He has five assists in 14 games this season and is a depth defenseman at best in deeper pools.

Derek Morris is doubtful Saturday | 02/23/2013 12:00 PM

News

Derek Morris (upper body) is doubtful for Saturday's game.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris hasn't played since Feb. 14. He is still day-to-day.

Derek Morris is still questionable Saturday | 02/22/2013 12:20 PM

News

Derek Morris (upper body) will probably travel with the Coyotes to Edmonton for Saturday's game.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Even if Morris goes on the trip, he might not play on Saturday. He has five assists in 14 games this season.

Derek Morris expected back on Saturday | 02/19/2013 11:42 AM

News

Look for Derek Morris (upper body) to return to action Saturday.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris sat out on Monday with the injury but was able to participate in the morning practice. He was injured Thursday. Morris has five assists and 16 penalty minutes in 14 games this season.

Derek Morris ruled out for Monday | 02/17/2013 5:01 PM

News

It sounds like Derek Morris (upper-body) won't be available for the Phoenix Coyotes' Monday matchup against the Calgary Flames.

Dave Vest on Twitter

Impact

Morris becomes more valuable in hits leagues as a guy who does a little bit of everything. While the Coyotes will miss a useful defenseman in Morris, word is that they might be able to add Mike Lombardi back to the lineup. He appears to be a game-time decision.

Derek Morris (upper body) is day-to-day | 02/16/2013 11:42 AM

News

Derek Morris (upper body) was evaluated by the Coyotes' doctors on Friday.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris still felt sore after leaving Thursday's contest due to the ailment. He's listed as day-to-day for now.

Derek Morris suffers an upper body injury | 02/15/2013 11:49 AM

News

Derek Morris left Thursday's game due to an upper body injury.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Morris was limited to just 3:30 minutes of ice time as a result. He has five assists in 14 games this season.

Dave Tippett wants defensemen to jump in play | 01/21/2013 12:18 PM

News

Dave Tippett wants all his defensemen to jump into the play more this season.

Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette

Impact

Derek Morris is lighter and quicker this season. "He was really solid," Tippett said. "I think he's down about 15 pounds from where he was at camp last year. He's leaner. You saw (Saturday) night he played really strong, really hard and strong. Quickness is a big part of the game right now. You've got to be quick. You gotta move the puck quick. You've got to be able to move yourself quick. I thought he was one of our better players (Saturday) night."